HAMBURG'S Ruud van Nistelrooy has labelled Fulham a European football revelation - after rejecting a move to Craven Cottage.
The Dutchman was wanted by several Premier League sides in January, including Spurs and Fulham.
But the striker, 33, chose Germany over England as he thought Hamburg stood a better chance of winning trophies.
Now, three months after trading Real Madrid's Bernabeu for the Bundesliga, Van Nistelrooy is preparing to line up against the Cottagers in tomorrow's Europa League semi-final first leg.
The former Manchester United star revealed: "Fulham asked Real about me but did not come up with a concrete proposition.
"The decision to join Hamburg was purely down to sporting aspects. I am still very ambitious and wanted to play for as many minutes as possible this season."
But, having seen the Londoners' progression under boss Roy Hodgson, Van Nistelrooy cannot disguise his respect for what they have achieved this season.
He added: "It is incredible that they are in a European semi-final but they fully deserve their success.
"Having said that, if we don't make the final it will be a total disaster. It is impossible to think we might fail."
Van Nistelrooy, who never won a Euro title in his time with PSV Eindhoven, United and Real, has four goals in eight games for Hamburg.
He said: "To play against an English club in a European semi-final is very special for me.
"I am very grateful to English fans because they were always kind. They praised my performances for United even though they might have supported rival teams.
"Now I'm confident for this match and our dream is 180 minutes away.
"If we analyse history, Hamburg are better than Fulham but that means absolutely nothing. Fulham have been a revelation in Europe this season.
"People here think Bobby Zamora is the key to Fulham but we see how compact their team is and how powerful they are in defence. It won't be easy to break them down.
"They have already had some historic results - like the one against Juventus - and the key to victory will be to stop them scoring in the first leg."